Pennsylvania Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor Since She Was In Kindergarten

A 40-year-old man from Pennsylvania has been charged with sexually abusing a girl since she was 5 years old until she was 14.

Manuel Molina of Delaware County faces 65 counts of sexual assault charges including 10 counts of rape, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced on Friday in a release. He has been accused of sexually abusing the minor for nearly a decade

The horrific abuse came to light after an investigation conducted by the District Attorney's Child Abuse and Exploitation Task Force. Based on a report of sexual assault, the investigators interviewed the child on Sept. 4, 2020, reported local news outlet Delco Times.

The victim, who was 15 at the time of the interview, described the details of the abuse and how Molina's deeds escalated over time. Molina allegedly threatened her by saying that he would hurt her mother if she told anyone about the abuse.

"This is a horrific, nearly decade-long case of abuse, starting with a child in kindergarten," said Stollsteimer. "The physical abuse was accompanied by the all-too-common psychological abuse – a 5-year-old child was told not to 'tell,' or she risked harm to her mother."

The girl also told the investigators that Molina had started taking her nude pictures and videos when she was 9. She was also forced to watch pornography and was raped on more than 10 occasions from the time she was 12 years old until she was 14.

The investigators executed a search warrant at Molina's residence and obtained evidence of the abuse from his electronic devices, reported news outlet Patch.

Other charges against Molina include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, statutory sexual assault against a person 11 years or younger, aggravated indecent assault against a person less than 13 years old, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors, as well as related charges of child pornography, filming a child in a sex act and criminal use of a communication facility.

Molina is being held at county prison with a bail set at 10% of $450,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 25 for a preliminary hearing.

"We applaud the victim for having the courage to step forward," Stollsteimer said. "I know I speak for everyone on this case when I say that we will do everything in our power to achieve the justice to which she is entitled."